On a perfectly San Diego evening, in an up-tempo ceremony befitting the man being honored, San Diegans said their final good-bye to Junior Seau on Friday, remembering the county’s ultimate hometown sports legend.

A crowd estimated at about 20,000 rocked Qualcomm Stadium as it listened to and sometimes participated in tributes to Seau.

“I don’t believe there has ever been a player in the National Football League that has played in a city like San Diego that has done more for that city than what Junior Seau has done for San Diego,” said Bobby Ross, who coached the Chargers from 1992 to ‘96.

For all the speakers, who shared their memories of Seau, the highlight of the night was its finish.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Chargers President Dean Spanos took the stage along with Seau’s four children and announced that Seau’s No. 55 officially has been retired and won’t ever be worn again by a Chargers player.

“Clearly no one will ever replace him in this community or on the team,” Spanos said as he stood next to Seau’s four children. “So it seems only fitting that I make official what we’ve always known in our heart for years -- there is only one Junior and one 55.”

After the night’s loudest ovation greeted the news, Seau’s eldest son, Tyler, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, spoke.

“You have definitely made this process a little easier,” Tyler said to the crowd. “... All the support and love you guys have given us this week has allowed us as a family to come together and be strong. ... Tonight it is truly amazing. He has had an impact on every single one of our lives today. He is truly a legend and he will be with us forever.”

Then a final video played, filled with Seau’s words as a string of balloons and a “55” banner was dropped from the sky. The last image on the screen was Seau playing the ukulele and singing “Save Your Last Dance For Me.”

Most of the fans in attendance sat in a horseshoe around the west end zone. A photo riser full of cameras was in the end zone. A phalanx of 396 seats fronted a dais on which sat master of ceremonies Miles McPherson and the featured speakers.

Beyond that, alone on the unstriped field, was a giant white “55” outlined in blue and gold.

The Seau family – his mother and father, his children, who all inherited his incomparably beaming smile – sat in the front row soaking in the 94-minute ceremony.

McPherson said in his opening comments that Friday’s “Celebration of Life,” which was paid for by the Chargers, was “an event for us to heal … and for us to celebrate.”

McPherson said a short while later that, “In this town the word Seau is royalty.”

McPherson used his time addressing the crowd between speakers to implore people to learn from Seau and perpetuate his legacy by telling others you love them and encouraging them.

“The value of Junior Seau is his impact on your life,” McPherson said. He then challenged the crowd: “Identify one way his life is going to change your life.”

Most of the speakers also made an effort to pay the occasion forward.

Dan Fouts asked that people learn from the heartbreak of Seau’s suicide.

“It’s a tragedy for his family, his countless friends, his many teammates and coaches, it’s a tragedy for the community,” Fouts said toward the end of his remarks. “But … there are lessons that must be learned by all of us. The lesson here is if you need help get help, it’s out there. All you have to do is swallow your pride and ask for it. We all need help at times. We must do a better job of helping each other.”

Former NFL safety John Lynch, a San Diego native and longtime friend of Seau’s, echoed McPherson’s theme.

“Honor him in the way you live your life every single day of your life,” said Lynch, who later concluded his remarks “I love you buddy. I miss you already, but I’ll honor you the rest of my life.”

Bobby Ross, who coached the Chargers from 1992-96 and led the team to its only Super Bowl, received a standing ovation before and after his remarks. Ross called Seau “a very special player, but a very special person as well. … Junior was a double whammy. He walked the walk and talked the talk.”

Ross told stories of a player that loved practice and was a great leader.

“Many words describe Junior,” Ross said. “You begin with passion -- for life, for football, for family, for the Chargers, for the people of San Diego and for people in general. Always positive, upbeat, always a smile. I’ll never forget that smile. Always. Always.”

Ross then listed off the members of the Chargers Super Bowl team that have died and also former Chargers equipment manager Sid Brooks and told the crowd to give them a hand.

Ross finished his remarks by saying, “Your spirit and passion will always be with us. And for every home game to be played here in the future, you may not be seen but your spirit will be seen.”

Rodney Harrison, probably closer to Seau than any player after their nine years in San Diego and three more together in New England, was originally scheduled to speak. But word filtered out Friday morning that he would not, and the team scrambled to re-print programs.

Harrison told a producer for 1090-AM on Friday that it was too soon for him to speak publicly about Seau.

“I hope fans will understand,” Harrison said. “I lost a brother and a great friend."

And when Fouts said he was thankful he never played against Seau and thus never had to be hit by him and see him dance above him, a fan yelled, “Ask Elway.”

John Elway, the former Broncos quarterback, was seated in the third row on the field, smiling.

Several current and former Chargers attended. Shawne Merriman flew in from Buffalo, as did former San Diego State linebacker Kirk Morrison.

No player received a louder ovation when he emerged from the tunnel onto the field before the ceremony than former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tomlinson was greeted by the night’s loudest and longest ovation. As the crowd continued to cheer and chant, “LT, LT, LT,” Tomlinson motioned for quiet.

“Thank you,” Tomlinson said. “This is Junior’s night.”

Tomlinson talked about emulating Seau in everything from the snack box of junk food he brought to training camp, using the same masseuse and starting a charitable foundation.

“He was getting pulled in so many directions,” Tomlinson said. “His passion was in this community … I gave back to this community because Junior did.”

Tomlinson, like the other speakers, shared many stories about Seau, left the lectern to an enormous ovation after one poignant message as he pointed to the front row.

“Mama Seau, Papa Seau, it’s time for you to take a bow,” Tomlinson said. “Because everything you instilled in Junior, taught him to go out and be happy, he is still doing that … Don’t be sad today. Be happy. Because Junior lives through us. Everybody in here, everybody you touched. He lives through us.”

The only louder moment of the night, perhaps, was when Lynch instructed the crowd to look skyward and salute Seau with his signature greeting.